March 4th 2011 and we are hitting the bitumen again. This time heading further north to South West Rocks. A four hour trip from home. Rangi is with us again and once again we had to leave Mitya in the kennels. This I dislike doing as Mitya hates being away from us.
We've had no rain at home for months and we actually said it would be our luck for it to rain while away. Guess what it started the first night we arrived.
Setting up is getting so much easier now that we are nearly established caravanners.
Our site this time is right on the river at South West Rocks, or actually it really is a back creek but a pretty wide creek. There is grass and trees in front of us down to water. Very pretty and quite a few kangaroos about. I am sure Rangi thought they where large dogs. He'd just stare at them and they would stare at Rangi in return.
We took a privacy screen away with this trip and it was worth it's weight in gold as it helped protect us from the elements. Our long term plan is to get walls for our roll out giving us that extra room.
The rain came most every night and the winds as well. They we did not allow this to dampen our spirits.
The thing that I did not like was that the amenities was so far from the van. No night trips. We gave in and brought a porta loo. Heaven!!!
Steve's dislike were the mossies. They where there in their droves and attacked him constantly. He is so allergic to them. Before the next trip he needs to see a doctor and ask what he can take to help these attacks. He uses all the sprays - to no avail.
We were so comfortable in this new van. Nice to sit out of a late afternoon for "happy hour" and watch the world passing by. People are always ready for a chat and Rangi loves to talk to other little dogs.
Steve fished and I must say not too successfully. I did not get a swim in the sea as there where heaps of blue bottles and lots of wind. I ended up in the park pool which was nice and warm.
We did lots of walks. That is Rangi and I. Steve came when pushed into it.
Although wet the days where warm. We ended our 10 day stay with the last few days being dry.
One day a cousin brought her Mum down to see us for the day. They are from Coffs Harbour and I do not get to see them often. We had an enjoyable visit with them.
We did some tiki tours of the surrounding areas and found a magic spot at Scotts Head that will be worth a stay sometime. We checked out other parks at SWRocks as we have decided we won't probably use this one again.
All good things come to an end as ours did and we headed home with a happy doggie in tow as he was ready to see his best friend Mitya whom we picked up on oru way back into the bay.
These caravan holidays work out around $50 a night. We don't add food costs as if home we have to eat.
Usually bring fuel into it and the cost of Mitya's boarding which is expensive. Though this is still a cheap holiday compared with going into a unit or motel.
We now love being grey nomads and exploring this great country of ours. Our trips will start to get even further from home and perhaps for a longer duration.
I would say to people "try it, and you will love it".
Will blog for our next trip which will be, hopefully, to Lane Cove National Park Caravan Park in Sydney as we plan on being tourists around the city - using public transport. Trip after that will be around June and most like to a little north of Coffs Harbour. This trip we will break it into two different parks.
See you next time.
